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and as many of the soldiery as were made acquainted with it； for
there was not one of them who would not reckon it a part of his
happiness to kill Caius； and on that account they were all very
zealous in the affair； by what means soever any one could come at
it； that he might not be behindhand in these virtuous designs；
but might be ready with all his alacrity or power； both by words
and actions； to complete this slaughter of a tyrant。 And besides
these； Callistus also； who was a freed…man of Caius； and was the
only man that had arrived at the greatest degree of power under
him； … such a power； indeed； as was in a manner equal to the
power of the tyrant himself； by the dread that all men had of
him； and by the great riches he had acquired； for he took bribes
most plenteously； and committed injuries without bounds； and was
more extravagant in the use of his power in unjust proceedings
than any other。 He also knew the disposition of Caius to be
implacable； and never to be turned from what he had resolved on。
He had withal many other reasons why he thought himself in
danger； and the vastness of his wealth was not one of the least
of them； on which account he privately ingratiated himself with
Claudius； and transferred his courtship to him； out of this hope；
that in case； upon the removal of Caius； the government should
come to him； his interest in such changes should lay a foundation
for his preserving his dignity under him； since he laid in
beforehand a stock of merit； and did Claudius good offices in his
promotion。 He had also the boldness to pretend that he had been
persuaded to make away with Claudius； by poisoning him； but had
still invented ten thousand excuses for delaying to do it。 But it
seems probable to me that Callistus only counterfeited this； in
order to ingratiate himself with Claudius； for if Caius had been
in earnest resolved to take off Claudius； he would not have
admitted of Callistus's excuses； nor would Callistus； if he had
been enjoined to do such an act as was desired by Caius； have put
it off； nor if he had disobeyed those injunctions of his master；
had he escaped immediate punishment； while Claudius was preserved
from the madness of Caius by a certain Divine providence； and
Callistus pretended to such a piece of merit as he no way
deserved。
11。 However； the execution of Cherea's designs was put off from
day to day； by the sloth of many therein concerned； for as to
Cherea himself； he would not willingly make any delay in that
execution； thinking every time a fit time for it； for frequent
opportunities offered themselves； as when Caius went up to the
capitol to sacrifice for his daughter； or when he stood upon his
royal palace； and threw gold and silver pieces of money among the
people； he might be pushed down headlong； because the top of the
palace； that looks towards the market…place； was very high； and
also when he celebrated the mysteries； which he had appointed at
that time； for he was then no way secluded from the people； but
solicitous to do every thing carefully and decently； and was free
from all suspicion that he should be then assaulted by any body；
and although the gods should afford him no divine assistance to
enable him to take away his life； yet had he strength himself
sufficient to despatch Caius； even without a sword。 Thus was
Chorea angry at his fellow conspirators； for fear they should
suffer a proper opportunity to pass by； and they were themselves
sensible that he had just cause to be angry at them； and that his
eagerness was for their advantage； yet did they desire he would
have a little longer patience； lest； upon any disappointment they
might meet with； they should put the city into disorder； and an
inquisition should be made after the conspiracy； and should
render the courage of those that were to attack Caius without
success； while he would then secure himself more carefully than
ever against them； that it would therefore be the best to set
about the work when the shows were exhibited in the palace。 These
shows were acted in honor of that Caesar （4） who first of all
changed the popular government； and transferred it to himself；
galleries being fixed before the palace； where the Romans that
were patricians became spectators； together with their children
and their wives； and Caesar himself was to be also a spectator；
and they reckoned； among those many ten thousands who would there
be crowded into a narrow compass； they should have a favorable
opportunity to make their attempt upon him as he came in； because
his guards that should protect him； if any of them should have a
mind to do it； would not here be able to give him any assistance。
12。 Cherea consented to this delay； and when the shows were
exhibited； it was resolved to do the work the first day。 But
fortune； which allowed a further delay to his slaughter； was too
hard for their foregoing resolution； and as three days of the
regular times for these shows were now over； they had much ado to
get the business done on the last day。 Then Cherea called the
conspirators together； and spake thus to them： 〃So much time
passed away without effort is a reproach to us； as delaying to go
through such a virtuous design as we are engaged in； but more
fatal will this delay prove if we be discovered； and the design
be frustrated； for Caius will then become more cruel in his
unjust proceedings。 Do we not see how long we deprive all our
friends of their liberty； and give Caius leave still to tyrannize
over them？ while we ought to have procured them security for the
future； and； by laying a foundation for the happiness of others；
gain to ourselves great admiration and honor for all time to
come。〃 Now while the conspirators had nothing tolerable to say by
way of contradiction； and yet did not quite relish what they were
doing； but stood silent and astonished； he said further； 〃O my
brave comrades！ why do we make such delays？ Do not you see that
this is the last day of these shows； and that Caius is about to
go to sea？ for he is preparing to sail to Alexandria； in order to
see Egypt。 Is it therefore for your honor to let a man go out of
your hands who is a reproach to mankind； and to permit him to go；
after a pompous manner； triumphing both at land and sea？ Shall
not we be justly ashamed of ourselves； if we give leave to some
Egyptian or other； who shall think his injuries insufferable to
free…men； to kill him？ As for myself； I will no longer bear your
stow proceedings； but will expose myself to the dangers of the
enterprise this very day； and bear cheerfully whatsoever shall be
the consequence of the attempt； nor； let them be ever so great；
will I put them off any longer： for； to a wise and courageous
man； what can be more miserable than that； while I am alive； any
one else should kill Caius； and deprive me of the honor of so
virtuous an action？〃
13。 When Cherea had spoken thus； he zealously set about the work；
and inspired courage into the rest to go on with it； and they
were all eager to fall to it without further delay。 So he was at
the palace in the morning； with his equestrian sword girt on him；
for it was the custom that the tribu